Suspended Mumbai University prof holds classes on pavement

Mumbai University professor Neeraj Hatekar, suspended by the university for allegedly misleading press about mismanagement at the university, took classes on a pavement outside the varsity campus on Tuesday.

Hatekar, an economics stream professor, held classes in Kalina, just outside the Kalina campus.

An NDTV report quoted him as saying, "Dissent and debate is not encouraged at the University. A politically-backed kitchen cabinet runs Mumbai University. When Mr Welukar joined, the university was ranked 96, now it is 150."

FIle photo of Mumbai University

After his suspension, Professor Hatekar, a widely respected teacher and Cambridge University fellow, said he will not only fight his suspension but will also continue to discuss the issue of the university not being open to criticism.

In an earlier interview to Mumbai Mirror, Hatekar was quoted as saying that it was after months of complaints to authorities that he decided matters should be escalated. Having written to the Vice-Chancellor and other authorities, he got no response.

".. the University follows a total culture of silence. We filed several PILs in the High Court regarding the VC's appointment and other issues. But it was taking too long," he is quoted as saying.